hello, i'm ben brown. you're watching the context on bbc news. kamala harris launches her plan to make an opportunity economy if she wins the election in november. president biden says we're not there yet, but closer — as the three countries trying to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release in gaza present a new proposal to israel and hamas. ukraine says the aim of its cross—border offensive into russia is to force moscow into what it calls "fair peace talks".

we start tonight in the us, where vice president kamala harris has been laying out her economic plans at a rally in raleigh, north carolina. her first major policy speech since becoming the democratic presidential nominee. in what is seen as more of a reboot of president biden�*s economic policies than a radically fresh start, ms harris launched her plan to create an "opportunity economy". still, we know that many americans don't yet feel that progress in their daily lives. costs are still too high. on a deeper level, for too many people, no matter how much they work, it feels so hard just to be able to get ahead. as president, i will be laser focused on creating opportunities for the middle class that advance their economic security, stability and dignity.

together, we will build what i call an opportunity economy. north america correspondent nomia iqbal has been watching on from washington. she has, it has been said, she is vulnerable on the economy, especially on the cost of living, on inflation, which is higher at the moment, and she addressed at head—on, promising to lower the cost of living. she head-on, promising to lower the cost of livina. ,, , ., , , of living. she did, she has been accused by _ of living. she did, she has been accused by her _ of living. she did, she has been accused by her republican - of living. she did, she has been - accused by her republican opponents of being all style and no substance. they wanted to know, what is your major policy platform? a she is unveiling that today. what struck me about her speech is that she has a much easier way of talking about these challenges, perhaps, then

president biden date, because he would talk about the fact that unemployment was low, that inflation was getting better, also the economy was getting better, also the economy was growing fast, which is all true, by the way, but people don't feel like that. people don't feel that is the case, so kamala harris really went there and said, i know you are working overtime, you have all these bills piling up and it feels like you're not getting anywhere, i know that feeling, so she struck the dose of empathy that i think a lot of critics have said president biden wasn't able to do. it's not radical re—versioning of what he has done, she was there when he unveiled the economic policy as vp, but she is packaging in a different way, because the democratic party base and voters are much more enthused by her. shejoined her own personal experience of what it was like for her trying to get a house when she

worked at places, fast food places and what have you. president biden did that a lot as well. something donald trump has not been able to do, and she obviously was there to try and draw a stark contrast between her and mr trump. let’s try and draw a stark contrast between her and mr trump. let's talk about some — between her and mr trump. let's talk about some of — between her and mr trump. let's talk about some of the _ between her and mr trump. let's talk about some of the poll _ between her and mr trump. let's talk about some of the poll ratings - between her and mr trump. let's talk about some of the poll ratings we - about some of the poll ratings we have seen in the front line battleground states. they show kamala harris seems to be just nudging ahead, actually, is she still going through a honeymoon period? quite early on into this isn't she, for the white house? maw; isn't she, for the white house? many olls at the isn't she, for the white house? many polls at the moment, _ isn't she, for the white house? many polls at the moment, it _ isn't she, for the white house? many polls at the moment, it is _ isn't she, for the white house? litany polls at the moment, it is really hard to keep track of them, but they do generally show she is giving donald trump a run for his money. it's not a coincidence she was here, north carolina is one of those states she needs to win, the polls, before kamala harris became nominee,

they showed that biden was behind donald trump, but now it shows that harris and trump are statistically tied at the moment. in terms of the honeymoon period there is an argument to say this is a honeymoon period now that she is unveiling her policy plans, people can get a sense of exact you want a president harris would look like, what would her first hundred days look like? there is also an argument to say, we are so close to the election, especially as far as the us goes, that there might be a case of the democrats, if they can ride this wave right to election day, we have got the democratic national convention next week, where she will officially accept the nomination, that will be accept the nomination, that will be a big event, and we can expect to see probably an uptick of support for her in the polls, but of course

you can't trust polls necessarily in this country. it you can't trust polls necessarily in this country-— this country. it will be a fascinating _ this country. it will be a fascinating race. - this country. it will be a fascinating race. thank| this country. it will be a - fascinating race. thank you. let's speak to erik gordon, a professor at the university of michigan's ross school of business. do you see this as an election that will focus on the economy? we had donald trump yesterday with the press conference in newjersey where he had a whole array of grocery goods on the table, talking about inflation. now we have had kamala harris with her reply, talk about how she will roll reduce the cost of living and fight inflation.— living and fight inflation. when you look at the voters, _ living and fight inflation. when you look at the voters, rather - living and fight inflation. when you look at the voters, rather than - living and fight inflation. when you | look at the voters, rather than what the candidates are saying, the voters are saying that the economy is the number one factor they will take into account when they decide who to vote for, and they say the thing that concerns them most about the economy is inflation. so, i think whoever wins on the economy issue, whoever the voters trust most

on the economy, wins the election. is that a vulnerability, do you think, for kamala harris, in that she has been associated with the new administration where prices have been rising quite high? her explanation was that a lot of the food companies have really been profiteering, actually, post covid. yeah, i don't think that exploration is going to work a lot. it sort of like, don't blame us, we've been in power, blame someone else, be corporations are always a good target, and voters are very unhappy with the corporations. it's a huge liability that she has been part of the biden administration, she doesn't have a lot of wiggle room. she can't really come out and say, well, we did a lot of things wrong and we are going to change them, but what she has done is something quite different. biden said to the public, look, you arejust

different. biden said to the public, look, you are just wrong, different. biden said to the public, look, you arejust wrong, and i have the numbers to prove it. well, you know, i hate to be wrong, and she's gone back to the clinton line, i feel your pain. she gone back to the clinton line, i feel your pain.— gone back to the clinton line, i feel your pain. she talked a lot about the _ feel your pain. she talked a lot about the middle, _ feel your pain. she talked a lot about the middle, and - feel your pain. she talked a lot about the middle, and an - feel your pain. she talked a lot - about the middle, and an opportunity economy and so on, is that kind of rhetoric, is that vague for voters, what i have at home? it is rhetoric, is that vague for voters, what i have at home?— what i have at home? it is very vauue. what i have at home? it is very vague- what — what i have at home? it is very vague. what is _ what i have at home? it is very vague. what is an _ what i have at home? it is very vague. what is an opportunity | vague. what is an opportunity economy? voters are not saying they feel like they like opportunity, this is saying they are getting killed by inflation. but elections are won on all kinds of vacuous speculative promises that cannot possibly be fulfilled, so you never know over here. just possibly be fulfilled, so you never know over here.— possibly be fulfilled, so you never know over here. just on the economy, does the biden _ know over here. just on the economy, does the biden administration - know over here. just on the economy, does the biden administration not - does the biden administration not get any credit with voters, do you think, for other perceived economic achievements onjobs and think, for other perceived economic achievements on jobs and growth and so on? i achievements on “obs and growth and so on? ~ �* so on? i think the biden administration - so on? i think the biden administration gets - so on? i think the biden administration gets a i so on? i think the biden i administration gets a little so on? i think the biden - administration gets a little credit for things they might well deserve

credit for, but they are not getting it because people's lives are, when i go to buy groceries, and they are much more expensive than i remember them being. i go to buy gasoline, petrol, and it's much more expensive, and when you just say that's actually not correct, it is not what they think, so you can talk about grand macro things, but when somebody goes to the grocery store and pays for a bill, they think they are hurting. and pays for a bill, they think they are hurting-— are hurting. very good to talk to, thank ou are hurting. very good to talk to, thank you for— are hurting. very good to talk to, thank you for your _ are hurting. very good to talk to, thank you for your analysis - are hurting. very good to talk to, thank you for your analysis of - thank you for your analysis of kamala harris�*s speech, there, about the economy. "we are closer than we have ever been to a ceasefire deal in gaza" — that was president biden�*s optimistic verdict on the latest round of peace talks in doha. "it's much, much closer than it was three days ago," he said — "so keep your fingers crossed."

but is the president's optimism justified? well, hamas doesn't seem so hopeful. it says the us is trying to create a "false atmosphere" and it accuses israel of laying down unacceptable new conditions at the talks, that include keeping troops inside gaza along its border with egypt. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu called for mediators to pressure hamas to accept the new conditions. the negotiations will switch next week from doha to cairo, and american negotiators have offered fresh proposals aimed at bridging the gap between the two sides. meanwhile the us secretary of state antony blinken is travelling to the middle east and is expected to meet mr netanyahu on monday.

let's speak to dr sultan barakat, a professor at hamad bin khalifa university and senior fellow at rusi. a lot of optimism coming out of the white house and joe biden. are you at all optimistic?— at all optimistic? well, i'm not as o timistic at all optimistic? well, i'm not as optimistic as _ at all optimistic? well, i'm not as optimistic as joe _ at all optimistic? well, i'm not as optimistic as joe biden. _ at all optimistic? well, i'm not as optimistic as joe biden. joe - at all optimistic? well, i'm not as optimistic as joe biden. joe biden optimistic asjoe biden. joe biden needs to be optimistic in these last few weeks proprio his election, to help his side of the campaign, but i think a lot relies on fundamental change in the israeli position. israel needs to come out and properly accept the framework of this agreement was announced on the sist this agreement was announced on the 31st of may by biden. when it was announced then that hamas accepted it, they had some questions about it, they had some questions about

it, some the details we can go into later on, but the israelis came

and using the words, this is the first time an important change in position of the nation and i think more will follow in france yesterday and any possibility of participating in an attack if israel were attacked and there are exchanges taking place and there are exchanges taking place and we hope those on the talks will lead to the ability to fundamentally look forward to a permanent cease—fire and they can continue to play games to try to reach a

temporary cease—fire and take the hostages and continue to finish off hamas and push the palestinians out of gaza and other the whole area is devastated is unacceptable. i think that would be problematic. we devastated is unacceptable. i think that would be problematic.- that would be problematic. we will see what happens _ that would be problematic. we will see what happens in _ that would be problematic. we will see what happens in the _ that would be problematic. we will see what happens in the next - that would be problematic. we will| see what happens in the next round of the talks which is scheduled for cairo next week. thank you very much indeed. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the head of ukraine's army says his forces are advancing between one and three kilometres inside russia after their surprise incursion last week. ukraine's military says it destroyed a strategic river bridge in the kursk region on thursday, cutting a russian supply route. but why did ukraine launch such a bold offensive, seizing a slice of territory around kursk and infuriating vladimir putin? well today a senior adviser to ukraine's president zelensky

gave his answer to that question — he said the idea is to force russia into fair and meaningful peace talks. he insisted there are �*no plans to occupy the hundreds of square kilometres ukraine has captured already. on the 11th day of its incursion into russian territory, this is the land taken by ukrainian troops so far. but meanwhile on the eastern front, in the donestsk region, things are tougher for ukraine, becauuse there russia continues to make gains of its own, moving closer to the key logistics hub of pokrovsk. our ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse sent us this report from near the ukrainian front lines. it was an attack that surprised just about everyone apart from the

ukrainian paratroopers release this footage complete with dramatic music and dramatic western armour for when they first overwhelmed the russian border crossing. after a blistering land grab in the region, ukraine's gains are starting to slow. russia is diverting resources, like these artillery units, to stem the tide. nevertheless, ukraine is bringing in more troops to consolidate what it's taken. this is the main route from ukraine's sumy region into russia itself. you have to imagine it as an artery. and as advances start to slow, the question becomes, what next? kyiv took this territory relatively ease with relatively ease with the element of surprise and elite forces. but keeping hold of it, as russia turns its head and redeployed thousands of troops, that will be very different. this man signed up to defend ukraine with the full—scale

invasion. translation: no-one likes war. we want to finish it. i am not keen to fight. for our ukraine, for our people, we will stand till the end. anatoly has just returned from russian soil and has noticed a difference in progress. translation: we are still advancing. it's slowed down a bit, but we are moving forward. as long as we have orders and instructions, we'll keep on moving. anatoly hopes his effort will relieve pressure on other parts of the front line. as of yet, that's not happening. regardless, ukraine's goal seems to be shifting from liberation to producing bargaining chips for a future peace deal, whenever that might be. james waterhouse, bbc news, sumy region. i'm nowjoined by ambassadorjohn herbst. he is a senior director of the atlantic council's eurasia center and a former us ambassador to ukraine, and peter dickinson

who is also a part of the atlantic council as the editor of ukraine alert. thank you for being with us. the ukrainians are saying this is all about future peace negotiations, and achieving a fair peace agreement, but there doesn't, to be honest, look like any kind of peace talks are on the horizon at all. what look like any kind of peace talks are on the horizon at all. what you need to understand _ are on the horizon at all. what you need to understand is _ are on the horizon at all. what you need to understand is that - are on the horizon at all. what you need to understand is that six - are on the horizon at all. what you need to understand is that six or i need to understand is that six or eight or even ten weeks, there has been a fairamount eight or even ten weeks, there has been a fair amount of talk about a ceasefire in place, or peace negotiations, partly fuelled by statements coming from moscow, but also having some, you might say, receptivity amongst those who have

been willing to throw ukraine under the bus to russian aggression, and i think the startling and successful offensive has changed the conversation on what ukraine has done, and pointed the fact, now you have in russian media, controlled by the kremlin, people talking about having to put up with occupying russia some time, and in fact these gains could be a serious bargaining chip for gains to come, and they are now forcing ukraine into an unjust piece. from that point of view this has been a very now forcing ukraine into an unjust piece. from that point of view this has been a very successful campaign, although it is far from over. has been a very successful campaign, although it is farfrom over. peter although it is far from over. peter dickinson. — although it is far from over. peter dickinson, do _ although it is far from over. peter dickinson, do you _ although it is far from over. peter dickinson, do you think— although it is far from over. peter dickinson, do you think this - although it is far from over. peter dickinson, do you think this was l although it is far from over. peter dickinson, do you think this was a good idea, for ukraine to invade russian territory, and you think they might do it again if they see somewhere else where russian defences are vulnerable, might they go for another incursion? thea;c

go for another incursion? they certainly achieve _ go for another incursion? they certainly achieve the _ go for another incursion? they certainly achieve the initial- certainly achieve the initial success— certainly achieve the initial success of surprise, and of changing the narrative around the wall, and forcing _ the narrative around the wall, and forcing the — the narrative around the wall, and forcing the russians onto the back foot _ forcing the russians onto the back foot. ukraine has been on the defensive _ foot. ukraine has been on the defensive for the best part of the last yeah — defensive for the best part of the last year. russia has been edging forward _ last year. russia has been edging forward very slowly but steadily in the east _ forward very slowly but steadily in the east and the south, especially in the _ the east and the south, especially in the east — the east and the south, especially in the east of ukraine, so ukraine, by doing— in the east of ukraine, so ukraine, by doing this, by putting this very dramatic— by doing this, by putting this very dramatic surprise, has been able to change _ dramatic surprise, has been able to change the — dramatic surprise, has been able to change the whole complexion of the war, change the whole complexion of the war. and _ change the whole complexion of the war, and certainly regain the initiative. _ war, and certainly regain the initiative, and put putin onto the back— initiative, and put putin onto the back foot — initiative, and put putin onto the back foot. significantly, i think in that sense — back foot. significantly, i think in that sense it has been successful. with a _ that sense it has been successful. with a do— that sense it has been successful. with a do it — that sense it has been successful. with a do it elsewhere? i think the invasion— with a do it elsewhere? i think the invasion has— with a do it elsewhere? i think the invasion has already demonstrated that russia's borders are relatively undefended, are very vulnerable. certainiy— undefended, are very vulnerable. certainly that was the threat that i think— certainly that was the threat that i think russia will have to consider, and as— think russia will have to consider, and as part — think russia will have to consider, and as part of the operation. what ukraine _ and as part of the operation. what ukraine wants more than anything, in the short— ukraine wants more than anything, in the short term, certainly, is to force _ the short term, certainly, is to force the — the short term, certainly, is to force the russians to pose some of

their troops— force the russians to pose some of their troops out of ukraine and defend — their troops out of ukraine and defend russia itself. russia has deployed almost its entire army in ukraine, _ deployed almost its entire army in ukraine, ukraine is now looking to exploit _ ukraine, ukraine is now looking to exploit that by striking into areas that are — exploit that by striking into areas that are largely undefended. do you not think there _ that are largely undefended. do you not think there are _ that are largely undefended. do you not think there are risks _ that are largely undefended. do you not think there are risks attached i not think there are risks attached to this incursion for the west, because we are seeing a lot of western hardware being used by the ukrainians on russian soil, british challenger tanks, for example. doesn't this embroil western nations in this conflict even more?— in this conflict even more? russia has committed _ in this conflict even more? russia has committed a _ in this conflict even more? russia has committed a savage - in this conflict even more? russia has committed a savage act - in this conflict even more? russia has committed a savage act of. has committed a savage act of aggression, with numerous war crimes in ukraine. the west is properly provided support ukraine to defend itself. ukraine has demonstrated that part of a good defence is a successful offence, so what we are doing with our weapons and is helping ukraine defend itself, and of course it's only natural that

ukraine should be able to strike into russia, and we have seen in the west, especially in the united states and germany, being intimidated by constant russian nuclear threats that will prove to be bluffed, and we have encouraged moscow's aggression by being willing to be intimidated. there is now talk in washington, i think the odds of the united states removing all of its restrictions on the weapons for ukraine are going up, and expect to see those changes at some point, although it could be next week, it could be a year from now.- could be a year from now. peter dickinson. _ could be a year from now. peter dickinson, last _ could be a year from now. peter dickinson, last up _ could be a year from now. peter dickinson, last up to _ could be a year from now. peter dickinson, last up to you, - could be a year from now. peter| dickinson, last up to you, sooner could be a year from now. peter- dickinson, last up to you, sooner or later, putin is going to have to send some pretty heavy reinforcements to try to retake that whole area that ukraine is captured. he cannot let this stand, can he? presumably not, you're quite right, that is— presumably not, you're quite right, that is dilemma he finds himself in. we understand very well that ukraine wants _ we understand very well that ukraine wants to _ we understand very well that ukraine

wants to draw his troops away from the front _ wants to draw his troops away from the front lines in ukraine to russia, _ the front lines in ukraine to russia, he is reluctant to do that, and the _ russia, he is reluctant to do that, and the initial reports that we are hearing _ and the initial reports that we are hearing in— and the initial reports that we are hearing in the past week or so is that he — hearing in the past week or so is that he is— hearing in the past week or so is that he is turning to russia's conscripts, who are not technically supposed — conscripts, who are not technically supposed to be used in combat zones, to try— supposed to be used in combat zones, to try and _ supposed to be used in combat zones, to try and fill _ supposed to be used in combat zones, to try and fill the gap, as it were, but ultimately you're quite right, you will— but ultimately you're quite right, you will have to make that decision, and is _ you will have to make that decision, and is hugely embarrassing for putin to be the _ and is hugely embarrassing for putin to be the first russian leader since world _ to be the first russian leader since world war— to be the first russian leader since world war ii to suffer an invasion, so i world war ii to suffer an invasion, so i think— world war ii to suffer an invasion, so i think you will have to make that decision and probably pull out of his— that decision and probably pull out of his troops if ukraine is able to establish — of his troops if ukraine is able to establish a — of his troops if ukraine is able to establish a firm foothold and fortify— establish a firm foothold and fortify its positions, which at the moment— fortify its positions, which at the moment it — fortify its positions, which at the moment it looks like that is what ukraine _ moment it looks like that is what ukraine is— moment it looks like that is what ukraine is doing. challenging decisions ahead for vladimir putin. indeed. _ decisions ahead for vladimir putin. indeed, and interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks. thanks to both of you for your

analysis. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it felt warm in the sunshine earlier today. and over the weekend, there will be some more sunshine at times. very quiet weather over the weekend. not too much changing from one day to the next. many places will remain dry. this was the picture earlier today. that weather front has moved to the south of us. we are seeing more cloud coming into northern parts of scotland and that is where we see the showers. but there was not too much cloud in the midlands today, lovely and warm in the sunshine. last night, we saw some big differences in the weather. 18 celsius in kent, three celsius last night in aberdeenshire, but things will be different overnight tonight. we have stronger winds, they will tend to ease. showers becoming fewer, and many places becoming dry overnight.

to the south we have the clearer skies and lighter winds. temperatures as low as 7 celsius in southern england and the midlands, not as cold as last night in the north—east of scotland. starting off on a sunny note for much of the country tomorrow. there will be some cloud build—up, some showers threatening the north—west of england and northern ireland and western scotland, but many places will have a dry day. we will see more sunshine across the south—east of england and east anglia. this is where we will have the highest temperatures similar to today. should be a bit warmer in the sunshine in north—east scotland. this high over the azores, the pressure toward scandinavia leaving us with a run of westerly winds, which may pick up a little bit as we head into sunday, particularly in the south, where we should see a lot of sunshine on sunday, most of the build—up of cloud is further north where we will see the bulk

of showers coming into western scotland. for the most part it will be dry. temperatures for most of us not changing much. there could be a little bit cooler in scotland and northern ireland. sunshine is on the way for the start of next week. pressure is going to be dropping here in the atlantic and cloud and rain will be moving in, but it will start off dry and sunny, in the west we will feel the wind is picking up, the southwest and over the irish sea. cloud thickening and resting areas to bring some wet weather particularly into northern ireland and western scotland but ahead of that for the midlands and eastern england it should stay dry and there will be some sunshine, and it will feel warm, with temperatures in the mid 20s.

hello, i'm ben brown. you're watching the context on bbc news. coming up in the next few minutes we'll be discussing the news that the british government has confirmed victims of the infected blood scandal will start receiving compensation payments by the end of the year. more on that shortly, but first time for sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. hello from the bbc sport centre. after the european championship and the olympic games, it's time to focus back on the top—tier football again in england — with the new premier league season kicking off this evening. and we are under way. the first game is taking place at old trafford right now — manchester united taking on fulham.